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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Frugal Household Remedies

I love discovering new uses for stuff that is

already on hand, much less inexpensive or a

quick fix for those pesky household problems.

Here are a few . . .

Use ketchup to remove tarnish from copper and brass cookware. Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth and rub it on pots and pans. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel.Does anyone have a natural remedy for cleaning stainless steel cookware?

Use oatmeal to scrub very dirty hands. Make a thick paste of oatmeal and water . . . rinse well.

Use glycerin to remove dried wax drippings from candlesticks. Peel off as much wax as possible, then moisten a cotton ball with glycerin and rub until clean.

Scuffed Linoleum

Rub the spot with white toothpaste and a dry cloth or with an eraser. Or spray WD-40 on a towel and rub lightly, making sure to degrease the area afterward with liquid dishwashing soap and water.

Stuck Sliding Windows

A little silicone spray lubricant (sold at hardware stores) will grease the skids. Spray it onto a rag and wipe along the tracks.

Stained Tub

Combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.

Clogged drainsSprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then pour 1 cup of white vinegar. Follow immediately with 2 cups of boiling water. It will fizz and bubble then "poof" your drain will become unclogged. Do this once a month to keep drains free and clear.